summons
an authoritative command, message, or signal by which one is summoned.
a request, demand, or call to do something: a summons to surrender.
Law.
a call or citation by authority to appear before a court or a judicial officer.
the writ by which the call is made.
an authoritative call or notice to appear at a specified place, as for a particular purpose or duty.
a call issued for the meeting of an assembly or parliament.
to serve with a summons; summon.
Origin of summons
1Other words from summons
- non·sum·mons, noun
- re·sum·mons, noun, plural re·sum·mons·es.
Words Nearby summons
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use summons in a sentence
For instance, researchers recently revamped a court summons form and sent text reminders to get more people to attend mandatory court appointments in New York City.
Nudge theory’s popularity may block insights into improving society | Sujata Gupta | February 16, 2022 | Science NewsThey were more likely to receive jury summonses by mail because many didn’t move as frequently as lower-income renters, whose jury notices often went to outdated addresses.
It's a 'Nightmare Being Replayed' as a Cop Faces Trial in George Floyd's Death | Janell Ross | March 18, 2021 | TimeAbout 45 minutes past our interview time, the studio flack summons me.
They say, ‘If we catch you out there, we’re going to write you a summons.
The cops brought the same charge of simple assault in releasing Palmer with Complaint-summons 000728.
Ray Rice Should Have Remembered His 'Kindness' Anti-Bullying Wristband | Michael Daly | September 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
On July 8, a summons was sent to Zhang alerting her to the lawsuit, and on July 11, Nan Shi lost her job.
Female Yahoo Exec Accused of Sex Abuse Fires Back | Nina Strochlic | July 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis summons all the proximate Beyoncé voters, as we reply in a full-throated roar, “ALLLLLL THE SINGLE LAAAAADIES!”
While Louis was reading these dispatches, he received a summons from Elizabeth, to attend her immediately.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterShe had sent away her attendants, bolted the door against her mother, and sat waiting her summons.
Elster's Folly | Mrs. Henry WoodI am cast down by grief at this evil news, and the summons from Court has brought me in all haste from Milan.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael SabatiniHer gentle summons was answered by a tall powdered footman in blue and silver livery.
The World Before Them | Susanna MoodieVergniaud, notwithstanding the terrific agitations of the hour, immediately attended the summons of Madame Roland.
Madame Roland, Makers of History | John S. C. Abbott
British Dictionary definitions for summons
/ (ˈsʌmənz) /
a call, signal, or order to do something, esp to appear in person or attend at a specified place or time
an official order requiring a person to attend court, either to answer a charge or to give evidence
the writ making such an order: Compare warrant
a call or command given to the members of an assembly to convene a meeting
to take out a summons against (a person)
Origin of summons
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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